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Zakyo Toshi

Pleasure City (A17)

Pleasure City (A17) was a heaven for lechery and vice, kept clean only by the interference of the Imperial troops stationed here to guard the Scorpion-Fox-Sparrow borders. It's name might have been suitable five hundred years ago, but now it was simply a decorative name of one of the busiest commercial cities in the south. [1]

History[]

Foundation[]

Zakyo Toshi was was built amid the hills, [2] founded in 670 by merchants traveling the southern land trade routes, as a stopover point near the Shinomen Mori. A small tributary of the River of Gold would be used to replenish goods and as a trade route, and renamed Small Trade River. The southern half of the city had no bridges across the river, and the ferrymen transported customers from one side of the river to the other. The city soon became known colloquially as Pleasure City, since any item of luxury or leisure could easily be found within. All kind of bandits were attracted to the area, and they preyed upon the caravans. In 687 its star began to decline as the trade moved to the fluvial lane through the River of Gold, which had a lower risk of banditry. [3]

City of White Walls[]

In 701, the Merchant Council, rulers of the city, decided to renovate the city, which was also known as the "city of the White Walls". New trade came in, but mostly came from bandits who needed a place to sell the goods and spend the money they had stolen. [4]

Imperial Guard Garrison[]

In 815 wandering creatures of the Shadowlands were seen in their way to the Shinomen Mori. A detachment of the Imperial Guard was assigned to support the local Emerald Magistrate. In 824 Moto Tsume stopped and re-provisioned at the city in his doomed march to the Shadowlands. [5]

Neutral Grounds[]

During the war between the Hare and the Fox in 1090, Zakyo Toshi was a neutral ground, where both sides in the conflict sent their bushi for rest and relaxation. [6]

Naga[]

In the brisk of the Clan War, sightings of Naga circulated in the city. In 1125 a small delegation of the serpentine creatures briefly visited the city, but did not stay for long. [6]

Mantis Claims[]

In 1131 the Mantis Clan tried to lay claim to these lands, citing a mandate from Emperor Toturi I to collect taxes and rule any unaligned lands. The city saw an influx of Mantis samurai and merchants. They annexed the city and installed the first Governor of the city. [7]

Unicorn Presence[]

In 1135 Unicorn samurai began to arrive to Zakyo Toshi, and some of the stayed long-term. [6]

Rain of Blood[]

In 1165 the infamous ritual enacted by Iuchiban, the Rain of Blood, stroke the city, which experienced massive upheavals, riots, and general mayhem. [6]

Spider Infiltration[]

In 1168 ronin bearing the Spider mon began to appear in the city. They ingratiated themselves with the people acting as a policing force. [6] The Steel Strand Dojo situated in Zakyo Toshi was run by Masahiko, who was in fact a Spider Clan bushi. She used the dojo to find suitable recruits for the Spider Clan, but was discovered and killed by Bayushi Eisaku in the Month of the Tiger in 1169. What became of the dojo after Masahiko's death was unknown. [8]

Changing Ownership[]

In 1170 the Emerald Champion Shosuro Jimen took control of the city to fight the menace of the Black Lotus Cartel, who had growing rampage. In turn he passed the control to the Scorpion Clan. [9] Yogo Maiku was appointed as governor to rule the city in place of the Merchant Council. [6]

Destroyer War[]

In 1173 during the Destroyer War the gaijin demons approached the village in their advance. The Scorpion left the city undefended, and it fell. [10] After the end of the war it was placed under nominal Imperial control, with a restored merchant council reporting to the Imperial Treasurer. [11]

Criminal Gangs[]

Firemen[]

In Zakyo Toshi Firemen was a thinly disguised criminal gang collecting money for protection of merchants, geisha houses, and gambling dens. They were known to burn down the buildings of people who do not pay protection money. [6]

The Bawdy Carp[]

The Bawdy Carp was another gang recognizable by their water-motif tattoos who owned geisha houses, practicing extortion for money and political gain. Their activities were confined within the Pleasure and Gambling districts. [6]

The Silent Canary[]

The Silent Canary was the third largest gang in the city, and their members bore a yellow canary. Its main business was moneylending and smuggling in contraband items. [6]

The Brotherhood of Autumn[]

The Brotherhood of Autumn appeared to be monks, with shaved heads and brown robes. Their distinguishing tattoo was either a tree shedding its leaves, or a leaf turning from green to an autumnal color. They were involved in opium trade, and controlled the infamous so-called Ugokasu Ichiba, the “Moving Market”. [12]

Known Governors[]

Notable Locations[]

References

  1. Legend of the Five Rings; Third Edition, p. 301
  2. Kotei 2011: Week 2 locations
  3. Strongholds of the Empire, pp. 138-139, 141
  4. Strongholds of the Empire, pp. 138-139
  5. Strongholds of the Empire, pp. 138-140
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 Strongholds of the Empire, p. 140
  7. Strongholds of the Empire, pp. 139-140, 145
  8. Shadows and Lies, by Nancy Sauer
  9. Small Gains, by Nancy Sauer
  10. The Destroyer War, Part 2, by Shawn Carman and Lucas Twyman
  11. The Atlas of Rokugan, p. 241
  12. Strongholds of the Empire, p. 141



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